Ducati Gresini has confirmed Joan Mir for the 2027 MotoGP season. He will team up with Dani Holgado, creating a fully Spanish lineup. The move marks a major shift for the Italian squad.
Ducati Gresini has officially announced the signing of Joan Mir for the 2027 MotoGP season, confirming a significant change in its team structure. Mir, the 2020 world champion, will partner with Dani Holgado, making the Italian outfit’s lineup entirely Spanish for the first time. This decision signals a clear commitment to a new direction as the team adapts to upcoming technical changes in the championship.
The move comes after Mir’s departure from Honda, where he spent four seasons marked by mixed results and challenges. His time with the Japanese manufacturer included two podium finishes in Japan and Malaysia in 2025, as well as a podium at Montmeló this year, though that result was later annulled due to a tyre pressure penalty. Now, Mir is set to start a new chapter with Ducati Gresini, aiming to recapture the form that made him a standout in his early MotoGP years.
Team principal Nadia Padovani emphasized that, despite the changes, Gresini’s core philosophy remains focused on steady improvement and high aspirations. The team’s recent history has seen a strong Spanish presence, beginning with Marc Márquez’s arrival in 2024 and continuing with the addition of Fermín Aldeguer alongside Álex Márquez. These choices have brought notable results, including a runner-up finish for Álex Márquez and a victory for Aldeguer in Indonesia. The upcoming era, featuring 850cc bikes and Pirelli tyres, has prompted further adjustments, with the youthful Holgado joining forces with the experienced Mir.
Padovani highlighted the long-standing interest in Holgado and the proven calibre of Mir, describing both as key to the team’s ambitions. She also reaffirmed the ongoing partnership with Ducati, praising the manufacturer’s reliability and competitive edge. Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s general manager for racing, echoed this sentiment, underlining the shared values and technical expertise that have defined the collaboration. The team’s continued alliance with the Borgo Panigale factory is seen as a cornerstone for future success.
The reshuffling of MotoGP teams has been a recurring theme in recent seasons, with high-profile moves and strategic signings shaping the grid. For context, the dynamic nature of the championship was evident when Jorge Martín secured his first pole of the season at Assen, as detailed in coverage of the Dutch GP qualifying shake-up. Such developments underscore the ongoing evolution of team strategies and rider lineups across the paddock.
Looking ahead, the all-Spanish pairing of Mir and Holgado positions Ducati Gresini as a team to watch as MotoGP enters a new technical phase. The combination of youth and experience, along with the backing of a proven manufacturer, sets the stage for renewed ambitions and potential breakthroughs in the coming seasons. As the championship adapts to new regulations and competitive pressures, the impact of these changes will be closely followed by fans and rivals alike.
